Salvation Army assistance applications expected to climb

Paige Rentz Staff writer

Thursday

Oct 31, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 31, 2013 at 6:47 AM

Families have been slower this year to seek help for the holidays from the Salvation Army.

Brian Allen, director of communications for Fayetteville's Salvation Army, said the agency last week received nearly 830 applications for assistance with children's gifts, household needs and food during the holiday season.

The total of applications received so far are slightly more than half of last year's 1,611, when the need was higher than it had ever been, Allen said.

But Allen said application totals will continue to rise as the organization offers make-up days to residents who were unable to attend last week's application hours.

"We expect the numbers to come back up close to where they were last year," Allen said.

The Salvation Army will accept Christmas assistance applications from residents of Cumberland, Robeson, Scotland and Hoke counties on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 at its headquarters at 220 E. Russell St. between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

We're just trying to be a resource to those in need," Allen said.

Residents have been calling the Salvation Army offices this week, having missed the opportunity to apply, Allen said, adding that many of these are from surrounding counties in the Salvation Army's coverage area.

Most of this year's applications came from people who are unemployed and those receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits, Allen said.

After setting records last year by serving 5,600 residents, the Salvation Army expects to serve at least 5,000 individuals this year, based on its applications, Allen said.

The Salvation Army isn't worried that the need remains high, he said.

"The community as a whole is still stepping up to participate to aid us in this ministry," Allen said.

One of the significant ways the community can contribute is through the Angel Tree program.

With trees at Cross Creek Mall and other businesses across the area decorated with tags listing needed donations, residents can choose a child or entire family from the tree to sponsor for Christmas.

The kickoff for the Angel Tree program is Nov. 9 at Cross Creek Mall.

For those families who aren't adopted from a tree, the Salvation Army, as a staff, purchases the remaining wish list items using money raised by the organization and the community.

Last year, the community raised more than $600,000 during the Christmas season; more than $360,000 for the Bill Shaw Salvation Army Christmas Fund; and more than $240,000 through the Salvation Army's iconic kettle collections.

Money raised during the holidays, Allen said, helps fund Christmas assistance and other projects throughout the year.

The Christmas assistance projects also create seasonal jobs at the Salvation Army.

For more information, applicants can visit salva tionarmyfayetteville.org.

Staff writer Paige Rentz can be reached at rentzp@fayobserver.com or 486-2728.

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